General Update

30 October 2008

UNPLANNED ABSENCES PROTOCOL

CANZ is meeting with Department Reps in the near future to discuss the Unplanned Absences Protocol. CANZ initially considered going to mediation following a series of breaches of the Protocol.

The Unplanned Absences Protocol was agreed, following a dispute some years ago at Auckland Prison, when Officers were suspended for refusing to unlock prisoners because they were short staffed and they considered the situation to be unsafe.

CANZ is hoping that by the parties taking a fresh look at the original agreement there will be a better understanding of the application of the protocol, and the roles and responsibilities of Managers and Corrections Officers.

LIEU DAYS

The new CANZ / PS Collective Agreement includes a new entitlement to a lieu day for full time rostered staff if a public holiday falls on a rostered day off. It was agreed at the negotiations that this entitlement would be backdated back to 1 January 2008.

CANZ has been advised by the Department, that because of payroll issues the backdating has to be done manually, and this exercise will hopefully be completed by Xmas. In the meantime all lieu days accumulated from Labour Weekend 2008 will be automatically credited to the employee as they are earned.

NURSES

Following representations from CANZ the Department is now reviewing how some payments are made to Nurses. This exercise will require looking at the archives of previous settlements, and any progress will be reported in future UPDATES.

Mt. EDEN / ACRP REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Many of the old buildings surrounding Mt Eden Prison, including Mt. Eden Women’s’ Prison and the Admin Block have now been demolished and the site is now being cleared for construction to begin.

A draft protocol is being developed to assist the parties to resolve issues as the redevelopment progresses. Union meetings will be held at Mt Eden and ACRP to discuss the draft protocol.

WORK PRACTICES PROJECT

The Work Practices Project gets underway next week with an inaugural meeting in Wellington. Outcomes from this meeting, including any decisions taken to move the project forward will be reported in future UPDATES

Beven Hanlon | CANZ National Officer | President

Hawkes Bay Regional Prison

ext 76020 | mob 0274 380 442 | fax 06 872 8180

canzpres@xtra.co.nz

CANZ YOUR UNION IN PRISONS

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